Terracotta serving piece

ABSTRACT

A serving piece which allows a user to keep the food hot without providing a source of heat to the piece.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/906,907 filed Mar. 14, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a serving piece which allows a user to keep the food hot without providing a source of heat to the piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, when serving hot food, in order to keep the food hot, one would have to provide a source of heat. One way of doing this is by placing the food in a tray and then placing the tray over sterno devices for heating. Another way of keeping food hot was by placing the food in devices which by electrical current or other means continues to heat the food. This type of heating food is not practical in an eating establishment once the food is placed on a person's table.

When food is taken out of the oven, it is desirable to keep the food warm throughout the meal, or over a period of time when the food is being served. When food is served on plates or platters, they quickly lose heat when sitting at room temperature. Further, the use of a sterno does not insure even heating throughout the dish.

A problem with certain types of food like pizza, is that if the pizza is placed on the table in the ordinary metal serving piece, the cheese melts, and the crust gets soggy. The pizza gets cold because there is no source of heat for the food.

Design Pat. 365,541 relates to a terracotta pot insert.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,232 relates to a mixture comprising at least one vulcanizable elastomer, preferably in a mixture with a thermoplastic polymer, at least one mineral filler preferably including clay, at least one pigment or colorant preferably including red iron oxide. The mixture can be molded. Molded objects made from the composition such as plant pots and saucers, wine bottle coolers, trivets, and other objects that typically are made from natural terra cotta or clay, have aesthetically pleasing characteristics as well as improved properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,300 relates to an apparatus for heating food which is comprised of a heat distributing device, a base upon which the device rests, a heat source underneath the device, and a lid resting on the base and covering the device. The device is comprised of a heat conductive element presenting a surface for receiving food and a heat distributing concave shield coupled to the element and defining an air cavity under a substantial portion of the element. This apparatus may be used to keep food warm, moist, and/or crisp for hours. The device heats the food through the use of a low cost heat source such as a candle or the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,922 relates to a table-top baking oven for pizza or the like. The device provides a portable table-top baking oven, a bottom part is closed off by a removable cover, and made of unglazed heat-resistant stoneware.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a serving piece which comprises terracotta which continues to heat the food after the food is cooked while it is on a table or other serving area. It is an object of the present invention for the serving piece to be in the shape of a pizza pie. It is an object of the present invention for the device to have an opening in the center to receive the food. It is an object of the present invention for the device to allow designs to be printed on it. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be used with pizza. It is an object of the present invention for the device to keep the cheese from melting off of the pizza. It is an object of the present invention for the device to keep the crust of the pizza from getting soggy.

It is an object of the present invention for the device to not require any outside heating device. It is an object of the present invention for the device to evenly and effectively heat food. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be fully portable. It is an object of the present invention for the device to keep food warm without burning it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which keeps the food warm, but does not burn or mark any tabletops.

It is an object of the present invention for the device to have at least one handle. It is an object of the present invention for the handle to be made of a material other than terracotta. It is an object of the present invention for the handle to be made of a material that does not conduct heat and can be easily handled by a user.

It is an object of the present invention for the device to fit into a carrying piece which is not heated by the device and allows a user to carry the device.

It is an object of the present invention for the device to be round in shape and have a flat surface.

It is an object of the present invention for the serving piece to have a logo or other indicia placed on its surface.

It is an object of the present invention for the serving piece to have sidewalls and a lower surface.

It is an object of the present invention for the serving piece to have a square shape and a flat surface.

The present invention relates to a serving piece for serving a pizza pie comprising: a terracotta serving piece. The pizza pie rests on the surface of the serving piece once it is cooked. It is an object of the present invention for the serving piece to keep the cheese from melting off the pizza. It is an object of the present invention for the serving piece to keep the crust of the pizza from getting soggy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of FIG. 1 having a pizza on it.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a device 10 having a round shape and a flat surface 14. A logo or other indicia 12 can be placed on the surface 14.

FIG. 2 shows a device 20 having a round shape and a lowered surface 22, with sidewalls 24. A logo as shown in FIG. 1 can be placed on the surface 22.

FIG. 3 shows the device 10 of FIG. 1 having a pizza 30 resting on the surface 14.

FIG. 4 shows the device having a square shape and a flat surface 42. A logo or other indicia can be placed on the surface 42. 

1. A serving piece comprising: terracotta; said piece keeping food hot after it is cooked while it is on a table or other serving area.
 2. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said piece is in the shape of a pizza pie.
 3. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said piece has an opening in the center to receive food.
 4. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said device allows designs to be printed on it.
 5. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said serving piece does not require any outside heating device.
 6. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said piece evenly and effectively heats food.
 7. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said serving piece is fully portable.
 8. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said piece keeps food warm without burning it.
 9. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said piece keeps food warm, but does not burn or mark any tabletops.
 10. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said device is round in shape and has a flat surface.
 11. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein a surface of said serving piece has a logo or other indicia placed on its surface.
 12. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said serving piece has sidewalls and a lower surface.
 13. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said serving piece has a square shape and a flat surface.
 14. The serving piece of claim 1 further comprising at least one handle.
 15. The serving piece of claim 14 wherein said handle is made of a material other than terracotta.
 16. The serving piece of claim 14 wherein said handle is made of a material that does not conduct heat.
 17. The serving piece of claim 1 wherein said serving piece fits into a carrying piece which is not heated by said serving piece and allows a user to carry said serving piece.
 18. A serving piece for serving a pizza pie comprising; a terracotta serving piece; said pizza pie resting on said surface of said serving piece.
 19. The serving piece of claim 18 wherein said serving piece keeps cheese from melting off of said pizza.
 20. The serving piece of claim 18 wherein said serving piece keeps crust of said pizza from getting soggy. 